This is the sequence A(0,1;7,8;2) = A(0,1;8,0;1) of the family of sequences [a,b:c,d:k] considered by G. Detlefs, and treated as A(a,b;c,d;k) in the W. Lang link given below. - Wolfdieter Lang, Oct 18 2010

a(n) is the total number of squares the carpetmaker has removed after the n-th step of a Sierpiński carpet production. - Ivan N. Ianakiev, Oct 22 2013

For n >= 1, a(n) is the total number of holes in a box fractal (start with 8 boxes, 1 hole) after n iterations. See illustration in link. - Kival Ngaokrajang, Jan 27 2015